Corbusierhauses Live Cam

The panoramic tour begins in the north looking east: in the foreground you can see part of the Ruhleben waste‑to‑energy plant. Further along, the view passes the former Tegel Airport and Siemensstadt. In the distance, the Märkisches Viertel is clearly visible. At the first stop, the Spandau water tower appears on the right before the zoom focuses on the Rudolf‑Wissell Bridge, which carries up to 190,000 vehicles daily.

The journey continues over Westend, offering an impressive cityscape in the foreground. The next stop reveals, at lower right, the Malteser Hospital on the heavily trafficked Heerstraße, and unmistakably, a city landmark: the Radio Tower at the exhibition grounds.

The camera pans now southward into the Grunewald forest to a nearby attraction, the Teufelsberg, with a zoom on the former American listening station (Field Station Berlin). Before heading west, a brief pause affords a view of the Grunewald Tower, and to the left, the Schäferberg with its distinct transmission mast. The final northward stop is the Olympic Stadium, looking out over the adjacent Maifeld. In the background lies the Spandau district, with its arcades and Spandau Town Hall. A zoom then reveals Spandau’s old town, centered on the St. Nicolai Church.

Although you can continue past the Corbusierhaus lift tower, the sight is not particularly noteworthy, so the tour retraces its steps back to the starting point.

The first stop on the return journey showcases the Maifeld, the Langemarckhalle, and the Bell Tower. The camera then swings westward, and on the horizon you can spot dozens of wind turbines in the Havelland. The next stop is the Angerburger Allee/Pichelsberg housing complex.

We continue past the Paulinen Hospital to the next halt at Drachenberg. With a zoom, you can watch children flying kites on the hilltop. The tour then drifts past the Lichterfelde power plant to a stop with the camera zoomed southeast: to the right is the high‑rise at Steglitzer Kreisel, and to the left, the “Snake” on Schlangenbader Straße.

The shot now swings eastward past the RBB building to a vantage point overlooking the city: the Red City Hall, Potsdamer Platz, and of course the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. The Berliner Dom and the Reichstag dome are also clearly visible.

With one more sweep over the city, the tour soon returns to its starting point. If you look closely, you can spot Charlottenburg Palace and Charlottenburg Town Hall along the way. After a brief stop with a view of the old Tegel Airport control tower, the circuit ends and then begins anew.

On very clear days, you can also spot the Arkenberge hills in Pankow to the northeast, the old Schöneberg gasometer, and the Müggelberge hills with Müggelturm in the southeastern suburbs.

Once night falls, the tour concludes.

Located in the heart of Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, the Corbusierhäuser stand as a testament to the pioneering Modernist vision of Le Corbusier. Walking through the tree‑lined Gustav‑Meyer‑Allee, one is immediately struck by the rhythmic interplay of pilotis, ribbon windows, and free‑plan façades—hallmarks of International Style architecture that have influenced urban housing worldwide.

Origins of the Corbusierhäuser and Modernist Vision

Commissioned in 1957 by the Berlin Senate, the Corbusierhäuser were designed to address post‑war housing shortages and to embody a progressive approach to urban living. Le Corbusier’s concept of the “Unité d’Habitation” was adapted for the German context, resulting in two parallel residential blocks of reinforced concrete rising five stories above a ground‑level pilotis structure. These pilotis elevate the living quarters, creating sheltered communal spaces at street level and facilitating pedestrian flow through landscaped courtyards.

Design Principles and Architectural Features

The Corbusierhäuser adhere to Le Corbusier’s “Five Points of Architecture”: pilotis, roof gardens, free plan, horizontal windows, and free façades. The exposed concrete skeleton, or béton brut, showcases the raw texture of the material, a precursor to the Brutalist movement. Ribbon windows span the width of each apartment, allowing ample natural light and cross‑ventilation—key factors in promoting healthy indoor environments.

Pilotis and Free Ground Level

By elevating the residential blocks on slender concrete columns, the architects created an open ground floor that functions as a community plaza. Here, residents gather beneath the overhang to socialize, children play, and seasonal markets emerge during spring and summer. The pilotis also allow uninterrupted pedestrian access along the inner pedestrian axis, connecting the adjacent housing complexes and local amenities.

Historical Context and Post‑War Reconstruction

In the aftermath of World War II, Berlin faced a critical housing crisis. The devastation of bombing raids and the influx of displaced populations necessitated rapid, cost‑effective construction methods. The Corbusierhäuser represented a shift from traditional masonry to industrialized building techniques, leveraging prefabricated concrete elements and standardized window modules to accelerate completion and reduce labor costs.

Industrialized Construction and Prefabrication

Sections of façade panels and balcony parapets were precast off‑site, then hoisted into position by tower cranes. This modular approach not only expedited construction but also ensured quality control in a factory setting. Inside, durable finishes such as terrazzo flooring and built‑in cabinetry exemplify mid‑century modern interior design, blending functionality with elegance.

Social Housing Policy and Community Life

The Berlin Senate’s social housing policy mandated that the Corbusierhäuser provide affordable rents for working‑class families. Communal laundry rooms, bike storage facilities, and shared roof terraces reinforced collective living ideals. In the 1960s and 1970s, cultural programs—film screenings, music recitals, and architectural lectures—were held in the pilotis zone, fostering a vibrant community network that persists today.

Surrounding Landmarks and Urban Integration

Beyond the architectural avant‑garde of the housing blocks, the surrounding urban fabric of Charlottenburg offers a rich tapestry of cultural, recreational, and retail attractions. A brief stroll westward leads to Schloss Charlottenburg, the Baroque palace built for Sophie Charlotte, while eastward promenades along Kurfürstendamm unveil high‑end boutiques and cafés that epitomize Berlin’s cosmopolitan character.

Landscaped Courtyards and Green Corridors

The interstitial spaces between the Corbusierhäuser are punctuated by landscaped courtyards, native tree groves, and perennial flowerbeds. These green corridors not only soften the concrete aesthetic but also serve as ecological corridors for urban wildlife. Birdwatchers may spot common blackbirds and great tits flitting between birch and maple saplings, especially during spring migration.

Accessibility and Public Transport Links

The U7 metro line stops at Richard‑Wagner‑Platz, just a five‑minute walk from the western entrance of the Corbusierhäuser. Bus routes M49 and 309 run north‑south along Otto‑Suhr‑Allee, connecting residents to Friedrichstraße and Potsdamer Platz. Bicycle lanes run parallel to Gustav‑Meyer‑Allee, and two bike‑sharing stations offer quick rentals for short trips across the district.

Architectural Significance and Preservation Efforts

Recognized as a cultural monument in 1995, the Corbusierhäuser are subject to stringent preservation guidelines. Restoration efforts in the 2000s focused on repairing concrete spalling, upgrading thermal insulation, and restoring original window profiles. Conservation architects collaborated with heritage agencies to ensure interventions respected Le Corbusier’s design intent while meeting contemporary energy‑efficiency standards.

Concrete Conservation Techniques

Concrete remediation involved removing deteriorated surface layers, applying corrosion‑inhibiting primers to steel reinforcement, and reinstating protective cementitious coatings. Laser scanning documented façade deformations, guiding the fabrication of custom molds for sympathetic repairs. These measures extend service life and maintain the sculptural purity of the béton brut surfaces.

Energy‑Efficiency Upgrades

Insulated glazing units replaced single‑pane originals, reducing heat loss and improving acoustic performance. Roof terraces were retrofitted with green roofs that enhance rainwater retention and provide additional communal amenity space. Under‑floor radiant heating systems were discreetly installed, ensuring occupant comfort without altering the building’s aesthetic integrity.

Visitor Experience and Guided Tours

Guided architectural tours operate year‑round, led by local historians and conservation specialists. Tours focus on structural innovations such as the beam‑and‑slab framework, the modular grid system, and the building’s integration of communal and private realms. Participants receive detailed schematics and 3D models that illustrate how Le Corbusier’s five points were realized in the Berlin adaptation.

Interactive Exhibitions and Workshops

On-site exhibitions in the refurbished ground‑floor gallery explore the evolution of social housing in post‑war Europe. Workshops invite students and enthusiasts to assemble scale models using prefabricated elements, fostering hands‑on understanding of urban design principles. Seasonal lectures address topics such as “Modernism and Social Reform” and “The Global Legacy of Unité d’Habitation.”

Photography and Architectural Studies

Interior courtyards and rooftop vistas provide compelling backdrops for architectural photography. Key vantage points include the southwestern corner where pilotis intersect with angled sunlight at dawn, casting geometric shadows across the ground‑floor plaza. Academic researchers often reference these photo essays in journals dedicated to 20th‑century architecture and urbanism.

Local Amenities and Culinary Delights

Charlottenburg’s gastronomic offerings complement the architectural pilgrimage. Around the corner on Fasanenstraße, artisanal bakeries serve freshly baked pretzels and sourdough loaves, while nearby delis offer cold‑pressed juices and vegan specialties. For fine dining, Michelin‑recommended restaurants present seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients, such as Brandenburg asparagus and Mecklenburg trout.

Café Culture and Co‑Working Spaces

Café Cantona, housed in a repurposed Bauhaus storefront, blends minimalist interiors with rich espresso blends. Upstairs, co‑working spaces provide high‑speed Wi‑Fi and ergonomic workstations, attracting creative professionals who appreciate the intersection of design and productivity. Weekend pop‑up markets showcase local artisans selling ceramics, textiles, and graphic prints inspired by Modernist aesthetics.

Nightlife and Cultural Venues

As dusk falls, nearby theaters such as the Schaubühne and Theater des Westens host avant‑garde performances and musicals, respectively. Jazz clubs in the vicinity offer late‑night sets, where music aficionados can unwind amid acoustically tuned interiors. The pulse of Berlin’s cultural scene intersects seamlessly with the enduring architectural landmark of the Corbusierhäuser.

New Tip: Time your visit for the third Sunday of each month when the Corbusierhäuser host an open‑house event. Residents open private rooftop terraces to visitors, offering panoramic vistas of Berlin’s skyline and curated art installations by emerging local artists.

Interesting Fact: The Corbusierhäuser in Berlin were among the first International Style high‑rise residential buildings in Germany to incorporate a double‑deck corridor system, allowing apartments to receive both morning and afternoon sunlight—an innovation that influenced subsequent housing designs across Europe.